House Unveils Legislative Agenda, Promises to Tackle Unemployment

By Linda Ike

The House of Representatives has assured that the Green Chamber will develop legislative initiatives to grow the nation’s economy, tackle unemployment and foster development in Nigeria.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas disclosed this on Tuesday, in Abuja at the Unveiling of the legislative agenda for the 10th Assembly.

Abbas said the 8-point agenda is designed to provide necessary legislative support to the executive arm of Government.

While noting that the legislative agenda is borne out of the House that the primary duty of lawmakers is to serve the best interests of their constituents, the Speaker urged all committees to ensure that their activities are inline with the legislative agenda.

“The agenda we are unveiling today is a demonstration of our commitment to deploying every legislative instrument available to us towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people we serve.

“Our agenda encompasses a range of eight critical issues, designed to provide the necessary legislative support to the 8 point Agenda of the executive. These issues include strengthening good governance, economic development, improving national security, law reform, economic growth and development, social sector reform and development, inclusion and open parliament, influencing foreign policy and climate change, and environmental sustainability.

“We are dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes sustainable economic growth, and development. We shall use every legislative tool at our disposal to create jobs for our teeming youths, address the challenge posed by poverty, improve infrastructure, ensure top quality and affordable healthcare and provide security for all Nigerians.

“This Agenda has identified areas for legislation and intervention. All Committees are requested to integrate the Agenda to their respective work-plans. Members should also ensure that legislative proposals, including Bills, motions, etc,. are in with the provisions of this Agenda.

“The adopted structure indicates short, medium and long-term milestones and key performance indicators to track progress easily. The implementation framework is designed to allow for flexibility in responding to emerging issues or crises.

“We have equally set up a Legislative Agenda Monitoring and Implementation Committee to ensure religious implementation of this agenda. I charge citizens to hold us to task on the articulated issues and even more.” Abass stated.

In his remark, .the Senate President, Godswill Akpabi commended the House for leading the way in unveiling its legislative agenda, stating that the Senate will ensure that its own legislative agenda tallies with that of the House of Representatives.

Akpabio stated, “We have one nation, one destiny, one president, and one House. We must always concur and agree before any Bill becomes an Act of parliament. So, there is no difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate. We are working for one cause. ”

On his part, Secretary to the Government of the Federation( SGF), George Akume emphasized that for any democracy to thrive, there must be a focused and forward-looking legislature.

Akume noted that the agenda is an evidence of the high quality of leadership and the lower chamber, assuring the house, the commitment of the Executive